National Hockey League
Dallas 5, San Jose 2
When: 8:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 31, 2022
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Referees: Dan O'Rourke, Corey Syvret
Linesmen: Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson
Attendance: 18532

Fredrik Olofsson scored his first career goal midway into the second period to lift the host Dallas Stars to a 5-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

Dallas' Joe Pavelski collected a goal and two assists against his former team, Jason Robertson had one of each and Roope Hintz and defenseman Esa Lindell also tallied.

Defenseman Miro Heiskanen notched two assists and Jake Oettinger made 29 saves for the Stars, who have won a season-high four games in a row and improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine contests. Dallas also exacted a bit of revenge after dropping a 5-4 decision to San Jose on Nov. 11.

San Jose's Alexander Barabanov and Oskar Lindblom each scored a goal and James Reimer made 26 saves for the Sharks, who have lost six of their last seven games (1-4-2).

Defenseman Erik Karlsson notched an assist to extend his point streak to 12 games (two goals, 17 assists), tying the franchise record shared by Rob Gaudreau (1992-93) and Jonathan Cheechoo (2005-06).

Lindblom cleaned up a rebound to forge a 2-2 tie at 9:03 of the second period, before Olofsson scored the go-ahead goal just 1:42 later. Pavelski wired a pass from the right circle to the left doorstep that Olofsson deposited past the outstretched right pad of Reimer.

Hintz provided insurance with 4:42 left in the third with his 19th goal of the season and 11th in December. Lindell scored into an empty net to seal the win.

Barabanov settled a lead pass off the left-wing boards before wristing a shot between the pads of Oettinger to open the scoring at 5:13 of the first period. Barabanov's goal was his fifth of the season and second in his last five games.

Pavelski deflected Heiskanen's shot past Reimer to forge a tie over five minutes later. The goal was Pavelski's 12th of the season, while Robertson's assist extended his point streak to seven games.

Robertson wired a shot that hit the post and caromed off Reimer and into the net to give Dallas a 2-1 lead at 12:34 of the first period. Robertson's goal was his team-leading 25th of the season.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
San Jose   Dallas
Alexander Barabanov 1 Points Joe Pavelski 3
Alexander Barabanov 1 Goals Joe Pavelski 1
Matt Benning 1 Assists Joe Pavelski 2
N/A Power Play Goals Joe Pavelski 1
N/A Short Handed Goals Roope Hintz 1
James Reimer .867 Save Percentage Jake Oettinger .935
James Reimer 26 Saves Jake Oettinger 29
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
San Jose 31 2 0-4 1-3 6 27
Dallas 31 5 2-3 4-4 8 27
Upcoming Games
  • Dallas will play their next game on the road against Los Angeles. The Stars have a W/L % of .500 after a win and .750 after a loss.
  • San Jose will play their next game on the road against Chicago. The Sharks have a W/L % of .273 after a win and .296 after a loss.